The Articles of Faith

The following is a list of general articles of Mormon faith. This list is based mostly on a document written by Joseph Smith Jr., the first prophet of the Restoration, collected and printed by Wilford C. Wood from LDS church archives, with minor changes by me based on inspiration and articles of faith put forth in 1834 by Oliver Cowdery.

1-4 The basic doctrines of the Latter Day Saint movement (better known as Mormonism).

1 We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men and women will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam or Eve’s transgression. [1]

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, through his mercy and Grace, which leads us to obey the laws and principles, and obtain the ordinances of the Gospel. [2]

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Second, Repentance; Third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; Fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; Fifth, the Lord’s Supper. [3]

5-6 The basic tenets on the organization of churches.

5 We believe that a man or woman must be called of God by inspiration and the Spirit of prophecy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. [4]

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7-9 Beliefs in sources of revelation and gifts of the Spirit, key universal scriptures to be found in all of Mormonism, and belief in continuing revelation within the movement.

7 We believe in the powers and gifts of the Everlasting Gospel; the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, and so forth.

8 We believe the Word of God recorded in the Holy Bible; we also believe the Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in other good books. [5]

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, and the Messiah’s Second coming.

10-13 Common beliefs on the gathering of Israel, the resurrection of the dead, ethics for personal and religious freedom, and proper conduct within organized and peaceful societies.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be established upon the western continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, that the dead in Christ will rise first, and that the rest of the dead shall not rise again until the end of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.

12 We believe that all men and women are born free and equal; thus we claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience unmolested, and allow all men and women the same privilege; let them worship whom, how, where, or what they may.

13 We believe in being subject to kings, queens, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, and in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

14 Beliefs on proper conduct of the Saints

14 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, temperate, benevolent, virtuous, and upright, in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. Everything virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report, we seek after these things.

NOTES

1 This is not just Adam’s sin. Women will not be punished for Eve’s sins. Children are not punished for their parent’s sins, etc. We are all made whole in Christ, and thus are only accountable for the evils we do, if we do not repent through the blood of Jesus Christ.

2 It is by grace we are saved, and our works show that we have been saved. We are not perfect the moment we are born again, but we are made perfect in Christ. We cannot be saved in our sins, thus we must be born again that we can be saved from them.

4 Jesus Christ calls us both personally and through the Spirit of Prophecy. If you have been called, speak up that the Spirit may bear witness.

5 All scriptures were written by men and are imperfect. Yet all scriptures are the Word of God. There are no “perfect” books, merely a perfect God whose Spirit speaks truth to us through His Word.